Buy TicketsBy Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman
Hot List Key:
A : A preferred horse to watch B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches in the final 3 minutes and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.
1st race – (3) Comedy Town drops and looks best in this field. (5) Otto the Conqueror heads west from Kentucky and has enough speed to be a factor throughout. (1) Soi Ngern could be closing in the final furlong. (4) Hey Brother may wake up in a claimer. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-5.
3rd race – (5) Fancy Facts may bounce back with a better try at a shorter distance. (7) Zip Me Up exits a sharp maiden win. (6) Berry Valley had a nice comeback race and should be a contender here. (2) Pavel is Appealing will be a threat in her third start after a layoff. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-7. Doubles: 2-5-6-7 with 5-6-8-9.
4th race – (9) Quattro Passi has put in some sharp gate works for her debut with Baffert and gets the call. (6) Janie Not Jeanie was second in her debut and could be the main rival. (8) Dash could also be a promising runner. (5) Holmby also debuts for Baffert and deserves attention. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-6-8-9.
8th race – (5) Journalism gets some class relief after running against the nation’s top horses. Should revert to winning form here. (6) Full Serrano was a Breeders’ Cup winner here in 2024 and seems the main rival. (2) Mirahmadi has not raced since finishing second in this stakes last year. (1) McVay should be suited by the distance. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-6. Doubles: 1-2-5-6 with 1-4-5-8.
9th race - (4) Spirit Doll ships in from Florida after winning a stakes despite a rough trip. Gets the nod here. (8) Inbox missed by a nose and shapes up as the one to fear. (5) Peanutbutterbombe seems primed for a good showing in her stakes debut. (1) Raiding Party is another Kentucky shipper who looks like a main contender. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-8.